Oil gas generator



2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR TA1 h w. B. HARRIS OIL GAS GENERATOR Filed March 12, 1954 Oct. 6, 1936.

WAL TER BHARR/S A TTORNE Y Oct. 6, 1936. w B, HARRIS 2,056,606

OIL GAS GENERATOR Filed March 12, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /NVENTOR Patented Oct. 6, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT oI-FICE Application March 12,

8 Claims.

f duced by an incased electric heating element, the

said heating element being flxedly mounted within a gasifying chamber in an oil gas making generator.

Heat from the heating element is used to produce saturated steam in a boiler positioned inthe generator. A coil leading from the boiler is used to produce superheated steam. The oil and superheated steam are introduced into a heated gasifying chamber as a mixed spray by means of an injector nozzle; the nozzle is so -constructed that the .mixed spray issuing therefrom will spread in cylindrical form throughout a cylindrical space forming the gasifying chamber; the' said oil spraying taking place only when the heating element' is in an incandescent state and the said gasifying chamber is thereby heated to a reaction temperature.

Water is delivered in a regulated quantity to the boiler, thus determining the quantity of steam issuing from the nozzle. The energy of the superheated steam passing through the nozzle at a high velocity is used to inject a regulated quantity ofV oil, 'the mixture of oil and steam being caused to enter simultaneously into the gasifyirrg chamber.

An object of this invention is to provide regulating means for supplying relatively proportioned quantities of hydrocarbon spray and superheated steam.'

Another lobject of this invention' is to cause the energy of a superheated steam jet to lift a regulated quantity of hydrocarbon oil from a level below an injector nozzle into a gasifying chamber within an oil gas generator.

Another object of this invention is to cause a mixed spray of oil and superheated steam tobe introduced into a heated gasifying chamber and cause the steam to dissociate into hydrogen and oxygen and reaction between hydrogen and carbon.

With the above and other objects in view the invention will be hereinafter more particularly described, and the combination and arrangement of parts will be shown in the accompanythem. The boiler 22 may be supplied with wa- 1934, Serial No. 715,082

ing drawings and pointed out in the claims which form part of this specication.

Reference will now be had to the drawings. wherein like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several 5 views in which:

Figure 1 is a side view in elevation of the oil gas making unit, showing the oil gas generator, water seals, scrubber and bellows; the water seals and scrubber being in section.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the oil gas generator.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary portion of the upper end of the oil gas generator and shows two electric plug terminals.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of the injector body.

In the drawings, reference character I0 indicates an oil gas generator comprising a gastight metal container II, preferably of cylindrical shape and having covers I2 and I3. The 20 lower cover I3 is provided with a pipe I6 which is connected to a trap and Water seal member I1 and to a scrubber or washer I8. A gas conduit I9 leads from the scrubber I8 to a flexible gas bag or bellows 20; the functioning of this 25 exible gas bag being to expand and contract and operate a pressure switch which controls the electric current and water supply to the oil gas generator, as described under operation. The entire apparatus is mounted on a foundation plate 2l.

In the central portionof the container II, best shown in Figure 2, is an annular boiler 22 for generating saturated steam, and a coil I4 serving tosuperheat the steam generated in the boiler. The superheating coil I4 is connected to the upper end of the boiler. The boiler 22 comprises an inner wall 23 and an outer wall 24 forming a water and steam space 25 between ter from any suitable pressure Water supply, the quantity of water being regulated by a valve 26.

Fixedly mounted in the oil gas generator I0, best shown in Figure 2is an insulation member 21, which is screwed into a threaded aperture in the upper cover I2. 'I'he insulation member 21 is provided with apertures for bolts 28, serving to support an electrical conducting retaining ring 29. One of the bolts 28 serves as a terminal to which an electric lead wire 30 is connected. The wire 30 is connected to a push plug terminal or contact pin 8l. A wire 32 from a plug tenninal 33, lshown in Figure 3, is connected to a spring-pressed member 34 which ex- `erts pressure on one end of .an electrode or heating element 35. The said spring-pressed heating element 35 contacts at its other end with an electrical conducting housing 36. 'I'he housing 36 forms a shield or casing for the electrode 35 and serves to prevent contact between the oil and the electrode.

Electric current from the plug terminal 33 may thus flow through the wire 32 through the spring-pressed member 34, thence through the electrode 35, returning through the housing 36, through retaining ring 29, through one of the terminal bolts 28, through lead wire 38 to the plug terminal 3|, and furnishes a continuous supply of electric current to the electrode or heating element 35. The heating element 35 and the housing 36 are suspended from the retaining ring 29. The heating element and housing are of a length to be substantially co-extensive with the length of the generator I8 and terminate a short distance above the cover plate I3, so that the injector 93 in the cover plate I3 can be placed in longitudinal alignment with said heating element and housing. Thus the conical mixed spray 92, from the injector 93 on its passage through the chamber 31, completely surrounds for its entire length the housing 36 of the heating element 35 in the gasifying chamber 31. An insulation bushing 86 centralizes the electrode 35 in the housing 36. Surrounding the electrode housing 36 is a conical tubular member 38 resting on the cover plate I3 and extending above the superheating coil I4. The tubular member 38 has perforations 39 at its upper end and is insulated from the electrode housing 36 by means of a non-conducting bushing 48. The cylindrical chamber 31 between the housing 36 and the tubular member 38 serves as a reaction zone in which oil gas is generated.

The upper coil 42 of the coil I4 is extended downward in a generally vertical direction in the cylindrical space between the tubular member 38 and the inner wall 23 of the boiler 22. The tubular member 38 is recessed longitudinally inwardly on one side to bring the extension 43 of the coil 42 as close as possible to the heating element 35 so as to impart the greatest amount of heat to the steam in its passage through the said extension 43. The pipe 43 passes through the lower cover I3 and connects by means of an elbow valve 44 to an injector body 45.

The injector body 45 is provided with an upper extension 46 which passes through an aperture in the cover` plate I3 and extends into the gasifying chamber 31. The upper extension 46 is provided with a cylindrical recess 41 adapted to receive a knife-edged cup-shaped injector nozzle 48. At the bottom of the recess 41 is formed an annular groove 49 which communilcates through a passage 58 with the valve 44,

thus supplying superheated steam from the coil I4 to the nozzle 48. A circumferential knifeedge 5I is formed at the upper portion of the nozzle 48. A tapering annular space 52 is provided between the cup-shaped nozzle 48 and the circular wall of the recess 41. An annulary plate 53 has been mounted at the upper surface of the extension 46 and forms with the nozzle 48 an annular ribbon-like orifice or oil passage 54. A circumferential groove 55 has been formed in the upper face of the extension 46 and communicates with a generally vertically positioned passage 56 provided in the injector body 45 and connects at its lower end with an oil supply pipe 51.

The steam will pass through the superheating coil I4 in a regulated quantity and pressure and pass through the annular space 52 around the injector nozzle 48 at a high velocity.

The oil supply for the injector nozzle is stored in a. container 58 positioned below the level of the nozzle. A regulating sight-feed needle-valve 68 is attached to the oil container 58. A solenoid controlled oil valve 6I is placed in the oil pipe line 51, which connects the oil container 58 and the injector 93.

The energy of the superheated steam jet passing through the nozzle 48 at highl velocity is suilicient to lift the oil from the lower level 84 in the oil container 58 to a higher level at the point of exit of the nozzle 48. The superheated steam mixes with the oil and forms a mixed spray of oil and superheated steam. The mixed spray is introduced into the gasifying chamber 31 around the electrode 35.

As shown in Figure 1, a water seal member 62 is secured to the top of the foundation plate 2I and has a passage 63 through which the gas passes into a water seal bend 64 contained therein. An overflow connection 65 has been provided on one side of the water seal member to allow overflowing into a U-shaped pipe 66. A perforated plate 61 has been provided in the scrubber I8 to act as a support for the scrubber medium 68. The iiange 69 of the scrubber I8 is lsnglted to the flange 18 of the'water seal member with a cover plate 1I to which is connected the gas conduit I9. An inlet pipe 12 admits water to a spray ring 13 which sprays on a perforated plate 14 so that water is distributed over the entire cross-section of the scrubber.

The bellows 28 comprises a hollow casing 15 for a flexible bag (not shown) and having an inlet 16 and an outlet 11. At the center of the bag Where the expansion and contraction of the gas bag is most effective there has been provided a movable rod 18 which may be suitably connected at its free end to a pressure switch 19. The switch 19 controls the supply of electric current for starting and stopping the gas making unit as a whole. The operator sets the pressure at which the bellows will operate the pressure switch 19.

It is to be noted that the spring 81 is positioned intermediate an insulating bushing 88 and a thrust collar 89. A threaded nut 98 serves for adjusting the pressure on the spring. The pressure exerted by the' spring 81 against the thrust collar 89 is imparted through the spindle 34 directly against the upper end of the electrode 35 and causes the electrode to be resiliently forced into electrical contact against the lower end of the conducting housing 36. 'Ihe internal diameter of the housing 36 is larger than the outside diameter of the electrode 35. The housing 36 encloses the electrode and prevents contact between the spray and the electrode.

The operation of the oil gas generator as a whole is as follows:

The water supply valve 26 is regulated to deliver a measured quantity of water through a sight feed device 88 into the boiler 22. The regulating oil valve 68 is set to supply a measured quantity of oil.

The bellows 28 when empty will collapse, thereby operating the pressure switch 19 and cause a continuous supply of electric current to flow through the lead 38, through the heating element 35 and the electrical conducting housing 36, bringing the electrode and the housing The scrubber I8 is provided at its upper end to a predetermined temperature, thereby heating the gasiiying chamber 31. The pressure switch 19 will also open the electrically controlled water valve 83 supplying water to the boiler 22, forming saturated steam. The steam passes through the heating coil |4 where it is superheated. The superheated steam from the coil I4 is delivered into the gasifying chamber 31, through the injector 83 which is of the constantly open nozzle type. When a predetermined temperature has been reached in the gasifying chamber 31, the heating of the thermocouple 8| inside the chamber 31 will cause a thermoswitch 82 to close an electric circuit. Said circuit will open up the solenoid controlled oil valve 6| and cause the superheated steam owing through the nozzle 48 tc lift the oil from the low level 84 in the oat controlled oil container 58 to the higher level at the point of exit 85 in the nozzle I8, where the oil mixes with the steam and forms a mixed spray of oil and superheatedsteam. 'I'he mixed spray 82 is projected in cone-shaped form into the gasifying chamber 31 around the electrical conducting housing 36. The quantity of oil delivered into the oil gas generator I0 through the nozzle 48 being regulated by the needle valve 60 in proportion to the measured quantity of water being delivered. As the mixed oil and steam spray passes through the gasifying chamber 31 when the electrode is in an incandescent state' the steam will react with the hydrocarbon and form oil gas.

The gases generated in the gasifying chamber 31 will pass upwardly in the tubular 'spray conning member 38, through the perforations 39, thence downward around the outside of the spray conning member 38, around the coil Il, and through the annular space formed by the inner wall 23 of the boiler and the tubular member 38 and will leave the generator through the pipe I6.

The hot gases in passing over the external surfaces of the coil I4 will further cause the steam in the coil to become superheated. The gas will pass through the gas passage 63 of the water seal member 62, shown in Figure 1, and thence through the seal pipe 84, extending below the water level indicated by W. L. The oil trically'controlled water valve 83.

gas will then rise through the scrubber |8 meeting the wash Water spray descending through the scrubber medium 68 from the perforated plate 14, and will then pass out through the gas conduit I9 to the bellows 20. rPhe bellows 28 will become expanded as it illls with gas and at the predetermined pressure will operate the pressure switch 19 and cut of! the electric current to the heating element 35 and to the elec- The thermocouple 8| in cooling will operate the thermoswitch 82 which will shut oil the oil valve 6|, thereby stopping gas making. When the pressure drops to a predetermined point, the bellows contracts. operating the switch 19 and causing the electric current to ilow and the gas making to automatically start again. The bellows 20 from its outlet 11 can be connected to a gas storage tank (not shown) and which on reaching the predetermined pressures will cause the bellows 20 to function in unison to start and stop the gas plant. It will be understood however, that when the gas bag collapses and throws in the pressure switch 19, sending current into the heating element 35, the gas making will not commence until the heat in the gasifying chamber 31 has reached the predetermined temperature at which the thermoswitch 82 is set. In other words, the pressure switch 1l can cut oi! the electric current supply, but cannot start the gas making without the cooperation of the thermoswitch 82. The pressure switch 18 is arranged in circuit with a source of current supply through the cable 9|.

It is to be noted that the water seal in the trap |1 and the water seal in the member 82 serve to seal the gas generating chamber 31 against any air leaking into said chamber. The water seals prevent an explosion. It is obvious that the said seals do not prevent the passage f ot the generated gases from the generating chamber to the scrubber. f

I claim:

l. -In an oil gas generating apparatus, a. sealed oil gas generating chamber, a one-piece encased and shielded electrically heated heating element depending from one end of said chamber, and means spaced away from the lower end of said heating element and positioned at the opposite end of said chamber i'or iniecting a continuous annularly formed mixed spray of steam and oil around the outside of the shielding casing of said heating element when said element is at atemperature at which steam reacts with hydrocarbon, said shielding casing serving to keep said heating element Wholly out oi' contact with the gases generated by said reaction.

2. In apparatus for generating oil gas, a sealed oil gas generating chamber, a one-piece encased and shielded elongated electrically heated heating element fixedly hung from one end of said chamber, means spaced away from the lower end of said heating element and positioned at the opposite end of said chamber for causing an annularly formed steam and oil spray to be injected continuously into said chamber around the outside of the shielding casing of said heating element when said element is at a temperature at which steam reacts with hydrocarbon, said injecting means comprising an annular nozzle having a ribbon-like orifice, the axis of said nozzle being in longitudinal alignment with said heating element, said casing serving to wholly shield said heating element from the gases generated by said reaction.

3. In apparatus for generating oil gas, a sealed oil gas generating chamber, a one-piece encased and shielded elongated electrically heated heating element provided. with a continuous supply of electric current and being fixedly hung from one end of said chamber, means spaced away from the lower end of said heating element and positioned at the opposite end of said chamber for causing an annularly formed steam and oil spray to be injected into said chamber around the outside of the shielding casing of said heating element, said injecting means comprising a nozzle having an annular ribbon-like oriiice and said nozzle being constantly open, said casing serving to wholly shield said heating element from the gases in said generator.

4. In apparatus for generating oil gas, a sealed oil gas generating chamber, a one-piece encased and shielded electrically heated heating element provided with a continuous supply of electric current and being xedly hung from one end of said chamber, means for delivering a regulatedl mixed steam and-oil spray of annular form to be injected into said chamber in central alignment around the outside oi' the shielding casing o! said element, said casing serving to wholly shield said heating element from the gases in said generator.

5. In an oil gas generating apparatus, a sealed oil gas generating chamber, a one-piece elec.

trlcally heated heating element iixedly hung from one end o! said chamber, means spaced away from the lower end ofV said heating element and positioned at the opposite end of said chamber for injecting an annularly formed mixed spray of oil and steam around the outside of said heating element, and a housing enclosing said heating element and preventing contact between said spray and said heating element, said housing being designed to `wholly shield said heating element from the gases in said generating chamber.

6. In an oil gas generating apparatus, a sealed oil gas generating chamber, an electrically heated heating element xedly mountedv `in an electric vconducting housing in said chamber, said heating element and said housing depending 'from one end of said chamber and being of a length to be substantially co-extensive with the length of said chamber and terminating away from an annular spraying means at the other end of said chamber, said housing being designed to wholly shield said heating element from the gases in said generating chamber.

s,oss,cos

L lnapparatusiorgeneratingoilgmasealed oil gas generating chamber. an electrical heating element nxedly hung in an upright position in said chamber and being housed in an electric conducting housing'.l an oil injecting device spaced away from the lower end of said heating element and positioned in central alignment with said element at the lower end ot said chamber i'or continuously projecting an annulariy formed mixed spray ofoil and superheated steam into direct contact with the extenial surface of said housing when said heating element is at a temperature at which steam reacts with hydrocarbon. said shielding casing serving to keep said heating element wholly out of ycontact with the gases generated by said reaction.

8. In apparatus for generating oil Sas comprising a sealed internally heated oil gas generating chamber, an electric heating element mounted in said chamber and comprising a casing, an oil injecting device positioned in central lalignment with said element at one end of said chamber for continuously projecting an annularly formed mixed spray of oil and superheated steam around the external surface of the casing oi' said heating element when said heating -element is at a temperature at which steam reacts with hydrocarbon, said casing being designed to keep said heating element wholly out of contact with the gases generated by said reaction.

WALTER. B. HARRIS. 

